Monday, June 19, 2017

NCRPO verifying alleged 'memo' on Metro Manila bomb plot

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde urges the public not to spread the still unverified document on social media

DOCUMENT CHECK. The NCRPO says it is checking information about an alleged bombing plot being circulated on social media. File photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

Be careful about what you share on social media.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday, June 19, said it was "investigating" a supposed internal police memorandum about an alleged plot to bomb parts of Metro Manila.

"At the advent of technology, the spread of information, factual or unverified via social media, is fast and boundless," said NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde in a statement on Monday evening.

"Today, a document allegedly from the Station Intelligence Branch of Valenzuela Police Station was circulated via Facebook, personal messages, and other platforms. The spread was too fast that even before we confirmed its validity it's already everywhere. Following this I have ordered the Northern Police District Director Bong Fajardo to investigate the document handling procedure at the Valenzuela Police Station," said Albayalde.Ads by AdAsia

In the supposed memo, the Valenzuela City Police Station's intelligence branch informed community precincts about a "Plan Bombing in Metro Manila."

The memo, which was dated June 16 and was supposedly written by the city's intelligence chief, detailed a supposed plot by the Maute Group to "conduct bombing in Trinoma, Quezon City, SM Cubao, Quezon City Circle, certain places in Quiapo and Makati."

It reminded community precincts to "initiate counter security measures to prevent government casualty and attacks from the enemy, particularly PNP stations/AFP units and vital installations in your respective AORs (areas of responsibility)."

Albayalde called on the public to "stop the spread or posting" of the still unverified document.

Still, he said police "do not take for granted any information reported to us."

"We process every information received and task our police on the ground to validate all these so that we will be able to address any threat immediately and appropriately," the NCRPO chief added.